NET PSA Chapter 38

A psalm of David, written to get God’s attention.

38 O Lord, do not continue to rebuke me in your anger!

Do not continue to punish me in your raging fury!

2  For your arrows pierce me,

and your hand presses me down.

3  My whole body is sick because of your judgment;

I am deprived of health because of my sin.

4  For my sins overwhelm me;

like a heavy load, they are too much for me to bear.

5  My wounds are infected and starting to smell,

because of my foolish sins.

6  I am dazed and completely humiliated;

all day long I walk around mourning.

7  For I am overcome with shame

and my whole body is sick.

8  I am numb with pain and severely battered;

I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel.

9  O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire;

my groaning is not hidden from you.

10  My heart beats quickly;

my strength leaves me;

I can hardly see.

11  Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance;

my neighbors stand far away.

12  Those who seek my life try to entrap me;

those who want to harm me speak destructive words;

all day long they say deceitful things.

13  But I am like a deaf man – I hear nothing;

I am like a mute who cannot speak.

14  I am like a man who cannot hear

and is incapable of arguing his defense.

15  Yet I wait for you, O Lord!

You will respond, O Lord, my God!

16  I have prayed for deliverance, because otherwise they will gloat over me;

when my foot slips they will arrogantly taunt me.

17  For I am about to stumble,

and I am in constant pain.

18  Yes, I confess my wrongdoing,

and I am concerned about my sins.

19  But those who are my enemies for no reason are numerous;

those who hate me without cause outnumber me.

20  They repay me evil for the good I have done;

though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.

21  Do not abandon me, O Lord!

My God, do not remain far away from me!

22  Hurry and help me, O Lord, my deliverer!